Kendrick Lamar Plays to Sold Out Crowd in NYC

Kendrick Lamar may represent Compton to the fullest, but yesterday (August 31) proved that New York got his back too.

The 2011 XXL Freshman played at Manhattan club, SOBs, last night in front of a sold out crowd of shouting supporters, showing that he’s honed his stage show to effectively compliment his music and personality. K. Dot ran through tracks from the various points in his budding career that have gained him recognition: the up-and-comer kicked energetic online releases “Compton” and “Look Out For Detox,” as well as fan-favorites from last September’s (O)verly (D)edicated and this past July’s Section.80. Often times in between songs, he’d interact with the crowd or tell a short story, which would end by seamlessly flowing into the next cut.

Highlights included "Fuck Your Ethnicity," "ADHD," "P&P 1.5," "Michael Jordan" and "HiiPower"—all of which had many fans energetically rapping along—as well as when Kendrick previewed the "Rigamortis (Remix)" featuring Busta Rhymes over the club's sound system. This was the Top Dawg Entertainment rhymer's second headlining show in New York; he performed at Brooklyn's Southpaw in June.

Earlier in the night, Baltimore rapper Los won the crowd with his witty wordplay and freestyles, and Trav, the other opener and G-Unit affiliate, brought out Lloyd Banks and Juelz Santana. The three performed their “Ride the Wave (Remix)” before Banks and Santana fired up the house with “Beamer, Benz or Bentley.”

Kendrick Lamar’s Section.80 is available now on iTunes. —Adam Fleischer